Abuse

The psychological wounds of abuse are often more severe and harder to heal than bodily injuries...

Abuse in any form, physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal, is never warranted and its effects are felt long after the abuse has ended. But, even after something as grievous as abuse, recover and hope for the future are possible.

Overcoming the trauma of abuse can be scary. The counselors at Light the Way will provide a safe and confidential environment in which abuse survivors can express and process their feelings, thoughts, and fears.

We Can Help You:

Create a safety plan if you are currently in an abusive situation

Express and process difficult emotions associated with the abuse

Develop self-compassion and self-care strategies

Learn to trust again

Lean ways to cope with, manage, and reduce anxiety and anger

Work through the guilt and shame often experienced by survivors

Rebuild a sense of self-worth

Abuse May Look Like:

Scratching, punching, biting, kicking, pushing

Hair pulling

Name calling

Telling someone what to do and wear

Stalking

Preventing someone from seeing or talking with friends or family

Unwanted kissing or touching

Unwanted sexual activity or forcing someone to have sex or perform sexual acts

Refusing to use contraceptives or preventing someone from protecting themselves against STI's